Environmental musical teaches Winfield youths to preserve sea

NEIGHBORS

April 19, 1996|By Christy Kruhm | Christy Kruhm,SPECIAL TO THE SUN

WINFIELD Elementary students were treated to a magical undersea voyage Tuesday. They traveled with a talking crab, dolphin, starfish, turtle and octopus, and learned about the dangers of underwater pollution. "The Ghost Net: An Environmental Musical of the Sea" was presented by the Grumbling Gryphons Traveling Children's Theater in two performances to students in all grades.

The story follows Marina, a teen-ager, played by theater director Leslie Elias, who embarks on a fantasy journey through the sea.

The fantasy is short-lived though, as she and her traveling companions encounter the reality of man-made hazards in the ocean, such as oil spills, garbage and the deadly ghost net.

Through drama and song, the children are taught how they can take responsibility and help clean up the sea.

The Connecticut-based children's theater group met with students during the school day in workshops rehearsing roles and musical pieces used during the show. As in all of its productions, the Grumbling Gryphons relies on audience participation.

Playing the parts of seaweed, clams, and fish, the children in the audience wore headpieces they had created for the performance during art classes .

"Trash creatures," fifth-graders decked in handmade hats and vests covered with trash, chanted "We are garbage, we are trash, we're left over from last night's bash." The "creatures" danced around the cafeteria with their leader, Sludge, played by actor Mark Maniak.

A blues-singing sea gull, played by actor Keith Darby, sang about the condition of the littered shoreline.

During the finale, fish skeletons, played by students Amanda Prekup and Libby Benson, sang with the evil Sea Ghost, played by actor Vanessa Roe, while a humpback whale struggled for his life in the tangles of the ghost net.

The production was enhanced by music and sound effects by Dale Adams on the keyboard.

The story not only informed the children about environmental issues but taught them how to help stop pollution by recycling and not throwing trash in the ocean or on the beach.

"We try to carry the message to all children that we can all work together to make the world a safe and beautiful place to live," Ms. Elias said.

Annual walk/run tomorrow

With the weather forecasters finally calling for a nice spring weekend, dig your running or walking shoes out of the bottom of your closet and head for Watkins Park tomorrow morning.

Mount Airy NET is a local service organization that provides emergency assistance to area families in need.

This year's event will be dedicated to the memory of Tony Greene, past vice president of the board of directors of Mount Airy NET, who died last year.

The walk/run is co-sponsored by Linganore Lightning Running Club. Under the direction of team officers and coaches Ed

Adami, and Jack and Kay Hayes, the one- and two-mile course around the park will be professionally mapped and marked.

If you aren't a serious runner, but are looking for a good way to spend time outdoors, committee Chairwoman Althea Miller urges you to join the group. "It's a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a leisurely stroll or have a serious run while helping out such a wonderful cause."

Participants will have the chance to win one of many prizes donated by local businesses. In addition to gift certificates, prizes include flowers, prints, sweat shirts, candy, crafts, model cars and food.

The president of the board of directors of Mount Airy NET, Jesse Logan, will kick off the event. A tribute to Mr. Greene will be given by Mount Airy Rotary Club President Brad Duggan at 8: 55 a.m. The run will start at 9 a.m. and the walk at 9: 05 a.m.

Registration will begin tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. in the pavilion at Watkins Park, Route 27. Registration fees are $3 for students, $7 for adults and $15 for families.

Information: 829-1775, 829-9150 or 831-7751.

Jousting tournament

Jousting, Maryland's official sport, will be demonstrated at a clinic and tournament at Carroll County Equestrian Center on April 21.

The Central Maryland Jousting Club Inc. is sponsoring the event with Carroll County Department of Recreation and Parks to celebrate March for the Parks, an Earth Day event.

Open to the public, the clinic will feature instruction by Mike Virts, Knight of St. Marks, a national and state championship winner, and Ric Allen, Knight of Northwind, president of the Central Maryland Jousting Club Inc.

The clinic will start at noon and a tournament with riders in full costume will be held at 2 p.m. The first 100 vehicles to be admitted will receive a free pine seedling in honor of Earth Day. Admission is $2 a car.

The equestrian center is on Grimville Road, Mount Airy.

Information: (410) 857-2103 or (410) 549-5141.

Christy Kruhm's Southwest Carroll Neighborhood column appears each Friday in the Carroll County edition of The Sun.